Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Family: Compositae
Part Used: Aerial parts, esp. flora
Collection: The whole of the above ground part of the plant should be gathered when flowering between June and September.
Constituents:
Alkaloid, bitter, flavonoids, tannins, volatile oils
Medicinal Actions:
Antiseptic, astringent, mild carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, hypotensive, spasmolytic, vulnerary
Medicinal Uses:
1) Achillea is a very strong diaphoretic herb and has long been used to address fevers associated with viral and bacterial infection.
2) It is commonly prescribed for treatment of viral infections like colds and flu due to its ability to reduce mucus in the upper respiratory system and to provide antiseptic action, reducing the ability of the bacteria or virus to replicate.
3) It is also an astringent and has some mild muscle relaxing properties that create the hypotensive effect in the peripheral arteries. It has a tonic bitter action and stimulates the flow of HCl and bile while providing action as a carminative through its ability to relax smooth muscle.
4) Because of its action as a mild diuretic, it is added to urinary formulas as an antiseptic and diuretic and its ability to relax the smooth muscle, decreasing pain due to spasm.
It has a vulnerary action when applied topically to wounds, stimulating the production of granulation tissue and reducing healing time.
5) There is historical use in the treatment of thrombotic conditions associated with hypertension.
6) Achillea is best known for its diaphoretic action. It can reduce profound fevers. It is indicated for use in conditions where the fever or illness is causing congestion or stagnation and where the patient is restless.
7) It is astringent and cleansing and cooling in its action. It is commonly combined with Sambucus, Eupatorium or Euphrasia. It is also indicated for use when fever or illness leads to bleeding.
8) Achillea was named for Achilles. It was said to be used to stop the bleeding in the wound caused by the arrow in his heel. It also is antiseptic to mucous membranes, so is often added to douches or washes when inflammation and bleeding are present.
9) As it is tonifying to the mucous membranes, so is often added to any formula for treatment of the upper and lower respiratory, gastrointestinal and genito-urinary tracts.
It causes dilation of the peripheral vasculature, so is often added to anti-hypertensive formulas. Historically, it is especially indicated for treatment of thrombophlebitis or thrombus associated with hypertension. For hypertension, it is commonly combined with Tilia, Crataegus, Leonurus or Viscum.
10) It is also a good addition to a bitters formula for normalization of the digestive processes. It is used to treat hypochlorhydria, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and also to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It has both a stimulating effect on the flow of digestive enzymes, and also an antiseptic and astringent effect on the mucous membranes themselves.
11) Achillea is used somewhat like Arnica to treat cuts and bruises. However, where you would not use Arnica on an open wound, Achillea is one of the best choices for treatment. A cut or bruise or a blood blister will heal well and quickly. It is a common addition to suppositories to treatment of hemorrhoids. It is also indicated for epistaxis. Some of the older herbal literature indicated the use of the root for profuse bleeding, rather than the leaves and flower.
12) On an energetic level, Achillea is said to be useful for psychic protection. It is also thought to increase mentation when dulled after an illness. It is the remedy attributed to the wounded healer, it will strengthen those who are so sensitive to others and to their environment that they cannot heal.
Toxicity: None known
Pharmacy:

Contraindications/Toxicity: None
Associations:
Combine with Sambucus, Mentha pip, Eupatorium perf, to address fever. Add Euphrasia, Thymus or Eriodictyon to address upper respiratory congestion. For hypertension combine with Tilia, Crataegus, Rauwolfia, Selenocereus or Viscum. To treat Cystitis, combine with Arctostaphylos, Buchu or Berberis aquifolium.
Pharmacy:
Infusion: 1 Tbl. Herba/2 cups H20 TID to QID
Tincture (1:5): 1 – 5 ml TID
Fluid Extract (1:1 or 1:3): 1 – 3 ml TID